Our Charity in Honor of Kate

Our Baby Kate

Katherine Anne was born on June 26, 2006. Shortly after her birth...she was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia associated with the 22q chromosomal deletion. Kate was a trooper...endured 4 open heart surgeries, 5 heart catherizations and spent over 150 days in the hospital. On January 15, 2008, her heart gave out and she passed into her Heavenly Father's Arms. During her 568 days here on Earth...she was always smiling. We miss her immensely...but rejoice in her new pain-free Eternal Home.

Kate's Links

Friday, September 7, 2007

We've had a little bit of a rough day today...Kate has not wanted to eat. We had a speech therapist come in and she doesn't think it has to do with her swallowing or eating skills. Her heart is just not clearing off enough fluid and so she is constantly out of breath which just makes it really hard for her to eat. It's an appetite issue. She feels like crap and just doesn't want to eat.The doctor on this evening ordered some extra lasix (diuretic) to help clear some of that fluid off of her lungs. She has perked up a bunch this evening and appears to be feeling better...waving at everyone on her walks.

Days like today are pretty hard...it's hard to see your kid refuse to eat...when you know she needs nutrition so desperately...and no matter what you do or say....SHE ALWAYS WINS...you can't make her eat. Except..Nana had a little bit of success with HaaganDaaz Vanilla Swiss Almond ice cream. Her eating is significantly down today and she lost some weight again.

Andy went home again this afternoon, in an attempt to spend time with Seth and do some work preparation. Nana came down this afternoon, as I really don't want to be here by myself...that is when the bad news seems to always come.

So...the long long road continues...we pray pray pray that today was an exception and the lasix will do the trick to help get off that fluid. We are anxious to have another good talk with a cardiologist, but know that probably won't come until Monday.

Her heart is just not keeping up....it's working so hard...but right now, it isn't enough. We desperately need your prayers right now....it's a tough tough day and night....so hard to see your child suffer.Kate with one of the only 2 things she wanted in her mouth today...her paci or a washcloth!

1 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Dear Krista and Andy,

Right now you are overwhelmed, stretched beyond your limits, having navigated through some of the darkest of life’s storms. You’re beyond the end of your rope, having cleared so many obstacles, only to be faced with other barriers.

But you will keep on keeping on. There is love and strength and compassion out here to support you in your fatigue. At this moment, life doesn’t appear fair or right… and it’s not. But there are no perfect lives, nor are there any guarantees for anyone.

The “what ifs” have laid you low, and once you put those aside, and stay in the “here and now” your passage will become immensely less toiling. You will be free to enjoy the goodness that is right in front of you this very moment. The giggles, the smiles, the milestones, the soft touches, the warm murmurs, the joy of being together. It all only gets too heavy to bear when your mind goes so far ahead that you can’t see your feet!

Take the time to do something kind for yourself. Celebrate the moment that is now. None of us are given to know the future, much less to control it. Let your friends and family and faith help you catch your breath. There are untold numbers of people reaching out to you in thought and prayer.

Welcome to our blog...and thanks for sharing in our journey through this amazing ride called life! We are blessed...in many ways by our loving Savior. It is our hope and prayer...that this blog might bring you a little laughter...a little encouragement...a little hope...or a little of whatever you need to help you out today!

Our boys

Seth is our totally amazing 11 year old! He brings us nothing but complete joy. He loves soccer and basketball, school (especially reading and math), playing with friends and collecting any type of sports card. He excels in school in all areas and usually is a great big brother. He is a great kid with a super heart.

Grant is our "on the go" 5 year old! Grant loves to explore...and wants to be outside all the time. If he can't be outside, he loves to play Wii, board games and with his Legos. He wants more than anything to be big like Seth. He can make me laugh on almost a daily basis...and his hugs beat no other.